KEY STORYLINES:1. Tough test: This is a difficult way for the Magic to begin their regular season. The Pacers took the Miami Heat to seven games in the 2013 Eastern Conference finals, and the Pacers should be even better this season. Indiana has fortified its roster by adding point guard C.J. Watson and power forward Luis Scola. Although the Magic won one of three games against the Pacers last season, Indiana confounded Orlando’s offense, holding Orlando to 32 percent shooting on March 19, in a 95-73 Pacers win at Amway Center.

2. Indiana’s physicality: The Pacers pride themselves on their physicality. Pacers center Roy Hibbert will present a difficult test for Magic center Nik Vucevic. Pacers power forward David West also will be a tough cover. Magic coach Jacque Vaughn hasn’t named his starting power forward yet, but I expect him to start 30-year-old Jason Maxiell, a rugged veteran who won’t back down from West.

3. Oladipo’s homecoming: Victor Oladipo played college basketball at Indiana University, and he became one of the most beloved Hoosiers in years. He should receive a warm welcome from the fans inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Still, he’ll have his hands full. The Pacers led the NBA in defensive efficiency last season, and Oladipo can expect lots of pressure from George Hill and Watson.

4. Paul George the All-Star: The Pacers’ top player is Paul George, a 6-foot-9 swingman who is wildly athletic and skilled. The assignment for guarding him likely will go to the Magic’s second-year small forward, Maurice Harkless.

5. The foul line: The Magic gave up far too many free throws during the preseason, allowing 28.5 foul shots per game. That number should decline when Orlando’s more seasoned players receive more minutes. That said, Indiana is too tough to send them often to the line. In the meantime, the Magic need to be aggressive on offense. Last season, they set an all-time NBA single-season record for the fewest free-throw attempts per game, averaging just 16.6 per game.

Key injuriesMagic combo forward Tobias Harris (sprained left ankle) and power forward Glen Davis (left foot rehabilitation) won’t play. Neither will Pacers small forward Danny Granger, who miss the next three weeks or so with a strained left calf.